Craving More (5 page)
Authors: Brandy Walker
His
gaze couldn’t help but be drawn to the light shining in a room upstairs. His heart
stuttered to a halt when Corrine paused in the window. Her hand pressed against
the glass for a few seconds before dropping. She turned away dowsing the light
and any secret hope he’d had of her running after him.
Letting
out a slow breath, he struggled for control while his tiger clamored to get out
and go to her. He needed time to get his head on straight and giving in to the
tiger would only lead to someone getting hurt. And the last thing he wanted to
do was hurt Corrine again.
Thirty
minutes later Jett was back at his condo in town kicking off his shoes and
nursing a cold beer in his favorite recliner.
The
entire drive home his brain refused to work. It was clouded with the past,
mixing with the present.
His commitment issues running
roughshod over everything.
Now that he was away from the situation, his
head was finally clearing.
Damn
Sam from visiting unexpectedly and ruining everything.
He
slammed the bottle on the coffee table. Spilling the amber liquid and not
caring.
Shit.
It wasn’t his friend’s fault. Jett just wasn’t ready to take the blame.
He
scrubbed his hands over his face rubbing away ill thoughts of his friend. It
was too late at night to think straight or rationally. Another thing he could
lay at his own feet.
The
impulse to go to Corrine’s had been too strong. It wasn’t until he parked in
front of her drive that he caught the time, a little after midnight. It took
five minutes to walk up the drive. And he spent another five minutes standing
in front of her door.
It
wasn’t until he saw her tiger sauntering into the woods that he even knew she
was home. Running around the back of the house he stripped and shifted.
Following a good ways back, he watched as she swam and dove in the water until
exhausted. Entranced by her grace and beauty, he wanted to join her so badly he
ached. When she finally pulled herself out, his restraint snapped.
The
jasmine musk he’d become familiar with lifted off her body luring him in. He
couldn’t stay away a minute longer. The rest of what followed was inevitable—until
he’d messed it all up.
Jett
released a pent up breath before inhaling deeply. Jasmine rose through his
nostrils triggering a visceral reaction. His heart sped up, breathing shortened
and cock twitched in his pants. His body instantly recognized the scent of its
mate even if his mind hadn’t accepted it.
“Fuck,”
he roared, jumping up from the recliner. He bumped into the coffee table
knocking over the forgotten beer. The liquid spilled over the custom built
table onto the hardwood floor.
Stomping
off to the kitchen he grabbed some paper towels. This was the perfect ending to
the night. Cleaning up beer stains, alone. This never would have happened if he
left well enough alone and stayed away. Which is what he should do now that
he’d bungled things.
The
errant thought was ridiculous. He would never be able to stay away from her
now. Not after having such a small potent taste. He had no idea how to overcome
his fear of commitment at this point. As much as he wanted to lie to himself
and say it wasn’t true, getting involved with a shifter meant more than just
hooking up.
Dealing
with the mess that was Macy, though, made him never want to get serious with
anyone again. He couldn’t believe how stupid he had been.
Tossing
the paper towels in the kitchen trash Jett shuddered thinking about the failed
relationship.
For
two years he watched his back waiting for Macy to show up. She never did
though. No calls or slips of paper. No confrontations or bitter messages. It
appeared she had moved past it all.
He
couldn’t though. He refused to even look at another shifter. Instead, opting to
ignore his tiger’s wants and needs completely. Based on his recent activity,
the tiger-side was tired of it, especially after tonight’s romp.
Corrine
flashed before his eyes. Sweetly curved and seductive, she beckoned him.
Heating his blood, raising his cock with just a thought. The air conditioner in
his condo kicked on, pushing the jasmine scent around some more. It had all but
gone away while he was lost in his head.
His
brain shifted into overdrive. Could Corrine really be the future? She was
definitely the one his tiger-side was looking for. And she was becoming the one
his human-side was starting to need too, even after such a short encounter. He
would never call it love at first site. Intrigue and lust though were a
different story.
If
only he could have unglued his tongue in time tonight. Told her it didn’t
matter about Sam. That she was wrong and he wasn’t just out for a good time.
She would still be in his arms at this moment. Moaning beneath him. Whimpering
his name.
Chills
raced down Jett’s spine. She inspired him like no woman had ever been able to.
Made him think that finding a mate might not be a bad idea and marriage was a
must. He could only imagine what spending more than a few hours with her would
do to him.
As
much as he hated to deal with his commitment issues
and
Sam, he knew he would have to.
The sooner the
better.
He didn’t think his tiger would sit in the background much
longer.
Shoring
up his nerves he decided to get hold of Sam. It had been a few months since
they talked and caught up with each other. Maybe he could mention the delicious
cupcakes he had at his office. Let Sam be the one to bring up Corrine. It would
be the perfect opening to get an invite out to her place possibly.
Smiling
to himself, Jett shut off the lights as he made his way to bedroom. Stripping
his clothes off along the way.
Slipping
under the covers he pictured Corrine next to him snuggling close, pressing her
silken skin against him while running her hands all over his body.
Damn
he had a good imagination.
Throwing
back the covers he knew he wouldn’t get to sleep until he worked through his
fantasy. Gripping his shaft he slowly glided up adding pressure along the way.
Stroking over and over, picking up the pace all while visualizing Corrine’s
capable hands in place of his own, until he groaned in satisfaction. Hot cum
splashed across his chest singeing his skin.
Without
looking he plucked a few tissues from the box next to his bed, cleaned up and
tossed them in the wastebasket not too far away.
Body
overheated and sated, Jett threw his arm over his eyes and drifted to sleep.
Thoughts of his lovely tigress chasing him in his dreams.
CHAPTER FOUR
Wrapping
her arms around her dream lover she crushed a shockingly cold pillow to her
chest. Her body jerked in reaction, sending a wave of pain through her.
Dear
god she was sore.
Memories
from the night before flooded her mind; swimming in the lake, bathing in the
moonlight, the large, intimidating tiger transforming into an equally large
hunky man. Followed by the best sex she’d ever had the pleasure of
experiencing.
More
banging pulled her away from the lust-filled memories but not before a blush
bloomed on her body.
“Damn
the bad luck. It was just getting good. Now, who in the hell could be knocking
on the door so early in the morning?” She grumbled.
Rolling
over she blindly searched for the clock. Smashing her knuckle against it, she
cursed then grabbed it up. Pulling it within inches of her face she cracked
open one eye and saw it was nine in the morning.
Corrine
bolted upright dropping the clock on the ground. Her head swam, throwing her
off kilter from the sudden movement.
“Sam!”
She
completely forgot he was going to be coming. Which was surprising since he was
the reason Jett left.
Groaning
Corrine plopped back on the bed just as the pounding on the door started up for
the third time. Only this time, Sam added in yelling. “Corrine get your ass up
and let me in.”
She
stayed prone for a few more seconds before dragging her ass out of bed. Just
like her brother demanded. When had she ever
not
done something he said?
Heading
for her window she pushed it up, sticking her head out. “Hold on a second,
butt-head,” she yelled. Sam’s head popped up and he grinned.
She
couldn’t help but roll her eyes and grin back.
“Let’s
get a move on Rini, I’m hungry.”
“Whatever,”
she said before slamming the window. Quickly she changed out of her pajamas,
throwing on her favorite cut off sweats, a bra and the closest tank top she
could find. He wouldn’t care how crappy she looked.
Hurrying
down the stairs she unbolted the locks, flung the door open and caught a
glimpse of shaggy reddish brown hair and massive t-shirt clad shoulders before
being tackled to the ground.
Air
whooshed out as her back hit the hardwood floor, Sam’s heavy body crushing her
and cutting off her attempts to move. Grunting she pushed against his chest.
Sam
rolled off her laughing, totally unaffected by the crash to the floor. Nimbly
jumping up he offered his hand.
“Jerk,”
she croaked once she caught her breath.
“Yeah,
but you love me.”
“Only
because I have to,” she grumbled. Not for the first time in her life she
wondered how they could be so different in personality and looks. Sam was fit,
without an ounce of fat on his body. Not to mention full of life, outgoing and
ready to take on any and every challenge thrown his way.
Corrine, on the other hand, had curves
upon curves and would rather sit home reading a book or watch a spooky movie
than go out to be around strangers. Heaving a sigh she grasped his hand and
pushed up off the floor.
Sam
wrapped her up in a big brotherly bear hug. “Good to see you too sis.” He
pressed a quick kiss to the top of her head. Letting her go he closed his eyes
and sniffed the air.
She
stiffened, waiting for him to scent the spicy musk still lingering on her body.
Oh shit. Please, please, please don’t
figure it out.
She
meant to shower once Jett left but instead, heartsick, she crawled into bed
after watching him walk away. Spending the next few hours reliving the evening
over and over again until she couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer.
Sam
opened his eyes leveling a curious look at her. “What’s going on? I don’t smell
anything baking.”
“Oh!”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “I slept in.”
Sam’s
brow crinkled and the corner of his mouth turned down. “Are you sick? Do I need
to call Mom and Dad?” He slapped his hand on her forehead. No doubt trying to
feel for fever.
She
swatted his arm away and laughed. “No. It was a really busy week. Plus, I
finally got to go running last night. Even had a nice swim in the lake.”
Not to mention having the best sex ever with
your friend.
She quickly turned away before the blush she felt creeping
over her face caught his attention. Heading for the back of the house and the
kitchen she called out. “I was exhausted by the time I hit the sheets. Come on
I’ll make you something before you die of starvation.”
Sam
quietly followed behind her. A bit too quietly actually. Something was going on
with him but her brain wasn’t functioning enough to figure out what it was at
the moment. Besides, she had her own issues to deal with.
In
silence, she started the coffee and got out the stuff to make pancakes. Once
the batter was made and griddle warmed up, the coffee was ready. She poured
them each a cup then turned to her brother.
He
sat at her dining room table staring out the slider door lost in thought. His
brow crinkled with worry. She knew that look. He was concerned or upset about
something. It was the same expression he held after the attack on MJ right
before he left the last time.
Corrine
placed the cup of coffee in front of him before moving back to the pancakes,
pouring the first batch on the griddle. “So Sam, what brought on this last
minute visit? You know, besides your mad-love for you sister.”
Sam
looked at her but didn’t answer her question. He picked up his mug and drank
half of the hot liquid before setting it down again.
Flipping
the pancakes, she waited. He wouldn’t talk until he was good and ready. Lord
knew how long that would take.
Puttering
around she got out butter, peanut butter, syrup and tableware—placing
them on the table before he finally spoke up.
“What
would you think about me moving to Cascade?”
Startled
by his words, she dropped the fork in her hand. The clang of it bouncing around
echoed in the room. The last thing she expected to hear from him would be that
he wanted to settle down in one spot. He loved to travel. With a degree in
business and finance paired with his passion for fitness he started his own
personal fitness business, going from gym to gym evaluating companies and
implementing new programs. He loved it. At least she thought he did.
